Cold gas generating system

Abstract

A gas generating system incorporating a gas flow control mechanism including opposed wall portions defining a cavity for slidably receiving a support member therein. A gas exit passage is exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity. An opening in one wall portion enables fluid flow into the cavity. An opening in another wall portion enables a fluid flow from the cavity into the gas exit passage. A seal prevents fluid flow into the cavity when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the fluid. A support member slidably received within the cavity supports the seal against the fluid force. A mechanism is provided for moving the support member from a first position supporting the seal to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid.

1. A mechanism for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through an opening, the mechanism comprising:
 a housing including a first wall portion and a second wall portion at least partially defining a cavity adapted for slidably receiving a support member therein, and a gas exit passage exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity for facilitating flow of pressurized fluid from the housing; 
 an opening in the first wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid into the cavity; 
 an opening in the second wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid from the cavity into the gas exit passage; 
 a seal coupled to the housing and adapted to prevent a flow of fluid through the opening in the first wall portion when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the pressurized fluid in a first direction; 
 a support member slidably received within the cavity to support the seal against the force exerted by the fluid in the first direction; and 
 means operatively coupled to the support member for moving the support member from a first position wherein the seal is supported by the support member, to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, thereby enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid, 
 wherein the support member slides along the first and second wall portions during movement from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support member slides along the seal during movement from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       3. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support member slides over the opening in the first wall portion when moving from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       4. The mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the support member slides over the opening in the second wall portion when moving from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       5. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support member slides over the opening in the second wall portion when moving from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       6. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the seal comprises a rupturable member positioned over the first opening, and wherein support of the rupturable member by the support member prevents rupture of the rupturable member. 
     
     
       7. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the support member comprises a source of pressurized gas positioned so as to provide pressurized gas to impinge upon the support member to move the support member from the first position to the second position after activation of the moving means. 
     
     
       8. The mechanism of  claim 7  wherein the source of pressurized gas comprises an initiator. 
     
     
       9. The mechanism of  claim 8  wherein the support member is mounted on the initiator prior to activation of the initiator. 
     
     
       10. The mechanism of claim of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the support member comprises a solenoid and wherein the support member is coupled to a plunger of the solenoid so as to move in conjunction with the plunger. 
     
     
       11. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the support member comprises a solenoid and wherein a plunger of the solenoid forms the support member. 
     
     
       12. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support member is formed from a magnetic material, and wherein the means for moving the support member comprises an electromagnet positioned for exerting a force on the support member to produce movement of the support member from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       13. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a vent hole  66  formed therein for venting a fluid displaced by movement of the support member within the housing. 
     
     
       14. The mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the vent hole vents a fluid displaced by movement of the support member from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       15. A gas generating system comprising a mechanism in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
       16. A vehicle occupant protection system including a mechanism in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
       17. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the cavity is dimensioned so as to form an interference fit with the support member to retain the support member therein when the support member moves to the second position. 
     
     
       18. The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support member is configured so as to not rupture the seal during movement of the support member within the housing. 
     
     
       19. A mechanism for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through an opening, the mechanism comprising:
 a housing including a first wall portion and a second wall portion at least partially defining a cavity adapted for slidably receiving a support member therein, and a gas exit passage exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity for facilitating flow of pressurized fluid from the housing; 
 an opening in the first wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid into the cavity; 
 an opening in the second wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid from the cavity into the gas exit passage; 
 a seal coupled to the housing and adapted to prevent a flow of fluid through the opening in the first wall portion when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the pressurized fluid in a first direction; 
 a support member slidably received within the cavity to support the seal against the force exerted by the fluid in the first direction; and 
 a source of pressurized gas positioned so as to provide pressurized gas to impinge upon the support member, for moving the support member from a first position wherein the seal is supported by the support member, to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, thereby enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid, 
 wherein the support member slides along the first and second wall portions during movement from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       20. The mechanism of  claim 19  wherein the support member is configured so as to not rupture the seal during movement of the support member within the housing. 
     
     
       21. A mechanism for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through an opening, the mechanism comprising:
 a housing including a first wall portion and a second wall portion at least partially defining a cavity adapted for slidably receiving a support member therein, and a gas exit passage exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity for facilitating flow of pressurized fluid from the housing; 
 an opening in the first wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid into the cavity; 
 an opening in the second wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid from the cavity into the gas exit passage; 
 a seal coupled to the housing and adapted to prevent a flow of fluid through the opening in the first wall portion when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the pressurized fluid in a first direction; 
 a support member slidably received within the cavity to support the seal against the force exerted by the fluid in the first direction; and 
 means operatively coupled to the support member for moving the support member from a first position wherein the seal is supported by the support member, to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, thereby enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid, 
 wherein the support member slides along the first and second wall portions during movement from the first position to the second position, and 
 wherein the first and second wall portions are opposed wall portions. 
 
     
     
       22. A mechanism for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through an opening, the mechanism comprising:
 a housing including a first wall portion and a second wall portion at least partially defining a cavity adapted for slidably receiving a support member therein, and a gas exit passage exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity for facilitating flow of pressurized fluid from the housing; 
 an opening in the first wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid into the cavity; 
 an opening in the second wall portion to enable a flow of pressurized fluid from the cavity into the gas exit passage; 
 a seal coupled to the housing and adapted to prevent a flow of fluid through the opening in the first wall portion when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the pressurized fluid in a first direction; 
 a support member slidably received within the cavity to support the seal against the force exerted by the fluid in the first direction; and 
 means operatively coupled to the support member for moving the support member from a first position wherein the seal is supported by the support member, to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, thereby enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid, 
 wherein the support member slides along the first and second wall portions during movement from the first position to the second position, and 
 wherein the opening in the first wall portion is aligned with the opening in the second wall portion along an axis.